"The most important reason for teaching keyboarding is to improve students’ writing. Keyboarding allows us to compose at the keyboard as we enter our thoughts into the dynamic world of word processing. Word processing has changed the way we think when we write. It enables students to mold their ideas into expressive writing. Unlike handwritten composition, the students can spend time worrying about the content rather than the formation of letters on paper. Revision can now be a fluid part of writing rather than the laborious process of scratching a Bic pen across a sheet of college-ruled paper.
The biggest problem that schools face is disconnectedness between what they teach and what they practice. Schools often spend a great deal of time teaching students to keyboard at the elementary levels, but all of their composing is done with a pencil and paper. This begs the question of “Why teach keyboarding?” Students need to be provided with laptops or at least word processing keyboards so that they can use their developed skills on a daily rather than a weekly basis.
There are several benefits in learning to keyboard:
The most obvious advantage is that students use keyboards to input their ideas into a computer and they use computers continuously to communicate. Efficient keyboarding skills improve the communication process. These are skills that will help them now and throughout their lives.
There is some research that shows typing/keyboarding can improve students’ spelling skills. (http://tinyurl.com/2vaj3s) There isn’t enough to be conclusive it shows a tendency.
Students with learning difficulties including dyslexia or dysgraphia find it easier to type than write because the letters automatically go from left to right and they don’t need to worry about writing them backwards.
In the end, handwriting and keyboarding are both important skills to know. Handwriting is necessary for day-to-day activities. Today’s world, however, requires us to be efficient keyboarders to interact and communicate with others through technology. It augments the writing process by enabling students to enter their thoughts and then mold their words into crafted sentences."
Zeitz, Leigh, 2009, ‘Is it Time to Teach Keyboarding Over Handwriting’, Keyboarding Research & Resources weblog post, 14 January, <http://keyboarding.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/is-it-time-to-only-teach-keyboarding-over-handwriting/>
1. Read your quote and determine what question about the great keyboarding debate it addresses
2. Restate the quote in your own words.
3. Determine its implications for your students, you, your colleagues, and your district.
4. What questions and/or concerns does this raise for you? What support and/or resources to you need to further your understanding or learnings about this topic?
How do we provide the balance in a budget crisis, when technology isn't easy to access for each student?
"The most important reason for teaching keyboarding is to improve students’ writing. Keyboarding allows us to compose at the keyboard as we enter our thoughts into the dynamic world of word processing. Word processing has changed the way we think when we write. It enables students to mold their ideas into expressive writing. Unlike handwritten composition, the students can spend time worrying about the content rather than the formation of letters on paper. Revision can now be a fluid part of writing rather than the laborious process of scratching a Bic pen across a sheet of college-ruled paper.
The biggest problem that schools face is disconnectedness between what they teach and what they practice. Schools often spend a great deal of time teaching students to keyboard at the elementary levels, but all of their composing is done with a pencil and paper. This begs the question of “Why teach keyboarding?” Students need to be provided with laptops or at least word processing keyboards so that they can use their developed skills on a daily rather than a weekly basis .
There are several benefits in learning to keyboard:
In the end, handwriting and keyboarding are both important skills to know. Handwriting is necessary for day-to-day activities. Today’s world, however, requires us to be efficient keyboarders to interact and communicate with others through technology. It augments the writing process by enabling students to enter their thoughts and then mold their words into crafted sentences."
Zeitz, Leigh, 2009, ‘Is it Time to Teach Keyboarding Over Handwriting’, Keyboarding Research & Resources weblog post, 14 January, <http://keyboarding.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/is-it-time-to-only-teach-keyboarding-over-handwriting/>
1. Read your quote and determine what question about the great keyboarding debate it addresses
2. Restate the quote in your own words.
3. Determine its implications for your students, you, your colleagues, and your district.
4. What questions and/or concerns does this raise for you? What support and/or resources to you need to further your understanding or learnings about this topic?
How do we provide the balance in a budget crisis, when technology isn't easy to access for each student?